Messi in FIFA World Cup: Golden ball to the golden boy
2 years ago

Messi in FIFA World Cup: Golden ball to the golden boy

The Hindu  

What Lionel Messi achieved at the age of 35 was beyond anyone’s wildest imagination. He even brought out a mix of all his hits: the strike against Mexico in the group stages, the smoothest of passing finish for the goal and the dizzying run from the halfway line against Australia in the Round of 16, the nutmegs, the assist against the Dutch which probably no one in the stadium could see in the quarterfinals and spinning Josko Gvardiol all over Lusail before setting up Julian Alvarez for a goal. He came into the World Cup with one final appearance, six goals, zero goals in the knockouts and a Golden Ball for what was thought of as his best tournament back in 2014. After this World Cup, he has a maiden title, 13 goals and eight assists, five goals in the knockouts and two Golden Balls. There was always this belief that Messi’s talents were destined to match up to the achievements of a World Cup great.

History of this topic

Messi named MLS Most Valuable Player after record-setting season with Inter Miami
2 weeks, 5 days ago
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3 weeks, 6 days ago
Lionel Messi equals world record with match-winning assist against Peru; Cristiano Ronaldo way behind in the race
1 month ago
Lionel Messi set to play in India in 2025 as Kerala ready to host Argentina's football team for friendly
1 month ago
Lionel Messi achieves unique record as Argentina inch closer to FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification
1 month ago
Argentina close on World Cup as Messi helps Martinez level up with Maradona
1 month ago
Lionel Messi scripts history, breaks Cristiano Ronaldo’s massive record but fails to prevent Inter Miami defeat
1 month, 1 week ago
Lionel Messi drops huge update on becoming manager after retirement, unsure about 2026 World Cup participation
1 month, 2 weeks ago
Ballon d’Or: Lionel Messi is left off list of contenders for soccer’s biggest individual prize
3 months, 2 weeks ago
Lionel Messi swansong likely if Argentina win the Copa America
5 months, 1 week ago
Lionel Messi's Record in Finals with Argentina
5 months, 1 week ago
Lionel Messi says he will keep on playing for Argentina beyond Copa America final
5 months, 2 weeks ago
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5 months, 2 weeks ago
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5 months, 2 weeks ago
Lionel Messi guides Argentina to second-consecutive Copa América final; moves closer to Cristiano Ronaldo
5 months, 2 weeks ago
Messi scores twice in return to Argentina lineup in 4-1 win over Guatemala
6 months, 1 week ago
Messi: Retirement not on my mind
8 months, 3 weeks ago
Messi's promised Barca contract, on a napkin, up for auction
9 months, 2 weeks ago
Lionel Messi's hunger overshadows his greatness. FIFA award hints at more magic to come
11 months, 1 week ago
Messi edges Haaland in tiebreaker for FIFA’s best men’s player award. Bonmatí takes women's prize
11 months, 1 week ago
2022 FIFA World Cup winner Lionel Messi named Time Magazine's Athlete of the Year for 2023
1 year ago
Lionel Messi walks out in violent match; Argentina beat Brazil in WC qualifier
1 year, 1 month ago
Messi seeks 1st goal against Brazil in World Cup qualifying, hosts try to avert crisis in Rio
1 year, 1 month ago
Lionel Messi wins record-extending 8th Ballon d'Or, Bonmati takes women's award
1 year, 1 month ago
Argentinian football legend Lionel Messi wins Ballon d’Or award for eighth time
1 year, 1 month ago
What records and awards does Argentina’s Lionel Messi hold?
1 year, 1 month ago
Lionel Messi and David Beckham have full-circle moment as MLS' first-ever designated player presents Inter Miami star with Ballon d'Or
1 year, 1 month ago
Messi wins Ballon d’Or 2023: Looking back at all eight trophies of the FIFA World Cup winner
1 year, 1 month ago
Messi wins record-extending 8th Ballon d’Or, Bonmati takes women’s award
1 year, 1 month ago
Lionel Messi Double Gives Argentina 2-0 Win Over Peru
1 year, 2 months ago
Merdeka Cup: Sunil Chhetri scores 93rd goal for India, remains third behind Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo
1 year, 2 months ago
Lionel Messi Makes Brief Appearance Off The Bench In Argentina's 1-0 World Cup Qualifier Win Over Paraguay
1 year, 2 months ago
VIDEO: Messi trains with Argentina ahead of FIFA World Cup qualifiers match against Paraguay
1 year, 2 months ago
‘We’ll see’: Lionel Messi unsure about 2026 World Cup
1 year, 3 months ago
Hurt Lionel Messi hits out at PSG: I did not get any recognition for winning World Cup at the club
1 year, 3 months ago
Lionel Messi skips Argentina’s last practice before World Cup qualifier in Bolivia
1 year, 3 months ago
Messi scores from a free kick to give Argentina 1-0 win in South American World Cup qualifying
1 year, 3 months ago
Watch: Lionel Messi becomes most decorated footballer of all time as Inter Miami beat Nashville in thrilling shoot-out
1 year, 4 months ago
Lionel Messi: FIFA World Cup was the most important trophy for me, not thinking about Ballon d’Or
1 year, 4 months ago
Lionel Messi scores his eighth goal of season to boost Inter Miami to Leagues Cup semi-final
1 year, 4 months ago
Messi dominates discourse on Martinez visit, goalkeeper plays ball
1 year, 5 months ago
Argentina coach says Messi ‘deserves’ MLS move
1 year, 6 months ago
Haaland looks set to replace Messi and Ronaldo as soccer's next global superstar
1 year, 6 months ago
Lionel Messi picks MLS's Inter Miami in stunning move after exit from PSG
1 year, 6 months ago
Messi’s father says player ‘would like to return’ to Barcelona amid speculation over Saudi move
1 year, 6 months ago
Barcelona not giving up hope of bringing Lionel Messi back to Spanish football
1 year, 6 months ago
Lionel Messi at Paris Saint-Germain: Flashes of genius but promise unfulfilled
1 year, 6 months ago
Is Messi’s European reign coming to an end?
1 year, 6 months ago
Messi to leave Paris St-Germain at end of season, coach confirms
1 year, 6 months ago
Lionel Messi: The ‘greatest’ leaves PSG on low note
1 year, 7 months ago

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